Pockets in the 18th century and the 1840s-60s were worn over the petticoats and under the skirt. The skirt had openings in the side seam to access the pockets.

‘Pockets are either worn tied round the waist, fastened into the petticoat, or buttoned upon the stays. When fastened into the petticoat, they are made of the same material, otherwise of dimity, calico, jean, twilled muslin, and sometimes of nankeen or brown jean.

Take a doubled piece of six nails width-way, and seven nails selvage-way when doubled, and cut according to Fig. 10.’ (The Worwoman’s Guide, 1840) Here’s the pattern for the pockets.

I used white cotton fabric for my Victorian pockets. Here’s an 1857 painting of pockets and antique Victorian white cotton pockets.